Break a straight for an open-ended straight flush draw?
No. Keep the made straight.
Average return per coin on Jacks or Better 9/6: Keep the straight 4.0000 · Hold four to a straight flush 3.5106.
Open this hand in the analyzerJacks or Better 9/6 strategy chart
The hand
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| Play | Cards held | Return per coin |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the straightBest | 8♥ 9♥ 10♥ J♥ Q♣ | 4.0000 |
| Hold four to a straight flush | 8♥ 9♥ 10♥ J♥ | 3.5106 |
Average coins back per coin bet on a five-coin bet, where a royal pays 4,000, counting every possible draw from the 47 cards left. Above 1.0000 the hold wins money on average.
Why
Only two cards make the straight flush. The rest of the draw’s value comes from flushes, straights and a pair of jacks, and all of it together is still worth less than the straight you already have. Among made straights and flushes, only a four-card royal draw is worth breaking for.
Does the paytable change the answer?
The answer is the same on all 6 paytables below.
| Paytable | Keep the straight | Hold four to a straight flush |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better 9/6 | 4.0000 | 3.5106 |
| Jacks or Better 8/5 | 4.0000 | 3.3617 |
| Bonus Poker 8/5 | 4.0000 | 3.3617 |
| Bonus Poker Deluxe 9/6 | 4.0000 | 3.5106 |
| Double Bonus Poker 10/7 | 5.0000 | 3.7660 |
| Double Double Bonus Poker 9/6 | 4.0000 | 3.5106 |
Average coins back per coin bet on a five-coin bet, where a royal pays 4,000, counting every possible draw from the 47 cards left. Above 1.0000 the hold wins money on average.